Arctic Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus tundrius)

Federally listed as endangered in 1970.
Reclassified as threatened March 1984.
Delisted October 5, 1994.
Listed as a Texas endangered species May 1975, reclassified as threatened March 1987.

Description

The Tundra Peregrine is the palest of the North American subspecies, and also is slightly smaller than the others. Adults have an almost unmarked white breast, and relatively light barring across their mostly white belly. Their back is slate-colored with bluish-gray tinges, and may take on a silvery appearance, especially lower on the back. The moustache on Tundra Peregrines is very narrow, and the white auricular patch (the area behind the moustache) is large. Immatures often have a pale buff or whitish crown and forehead, and have a pale superciliary line (over and behind the eye). Their breast is finely streaked, with a cream-colored background. The brown back feathers have wide buffy edges to them.

Life History

Arctic Peregrines migrate through Texas twice a year to and from their wintering areas in South America. They stop on the Texas Coast to feed before continuing their migration.

Distribution

The Arctic Peregrine nests in the arctic islands and the tundra regions of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland.